Good Times and Gifting at GBK’s Luxury Suite for the Emmys
Emmy Week just wouldn’t be complete without the annual GBK Productions Luxury Lounge honoring the 2016 Emmy Awards nominees and presenters.
As always at the exclusive event, the mood was festive on the Friday and Saturday before the show as attendees celebrated the upcoming awards..
Held at the tented rooftop penthouse of the Viceroy L’Ermitage in Beverly Hills, the soirée drew several hundred VIP guests who enjoyed gifting from a vast array of vendors, delicious refreshments and libations and music from Adam Gomez.
We even got a “pentervention” from the event’s title sponsor, Pilot Pen, whose reps removed one of those ubiquitous, cheap ballpoint pens from our bag and replaced it with some of their quality G2 writing instruments.
From another presenting sponsor, Il Palato Italiano, celebrities received a certificate for an Italian dinner experience at home for up to 15 people with the menu created by chef Filippo Sinisgalli, who was onhand.
Guests at GBK included a number of Emmy nominees – and some of the eventual winners—including David Schwimmer, Michael Kelly, Tony Hale, Maisie Williams, Margo Martindale, RuPaul Charles, Patrika Darbo, Melora Hardin, Michelle Ang and Anthony Anderson.
The Artisan Group continued its tradition of showcasing handmade designs directly from the artists and craftspeople who created them. Their beautiful gift bag was stocked with stationery and note cards from both BeezKneez and photographer Shannon Howard and handmade soaps from Serene Body Essentials and Habie Rose.
But the main attraction is the jewelry– unique bracelets, earrings and necklaces from a variety of designers who are members of TAG. They include 7 Charming Sisters, specializing in trendy fashion jewelry for all personalities and styles, Liv & B Designs, Beadsme, Helen’s Adornments, Boy Chérie, Rock & Hardware, Champagne & Glitter, Admirable Jewels, Nikki Nakks, Black Dog, Alyce N Maille, Helena G, CG Studio and Creations by Kristel. We especially loved the multi-colored Swarovski crystal tennis bracelet designed by Nikki, the sea glass pendant from Black Dog Jewelry, the embossed triangle “prosperity” earrings from Liv & B and the copper and silver necklace from CG Studio.
Other popular products were from Mavea, a competitor to Brita, which offered three stylish products, a pitcher, carafe and water bottle that filter 50% more with an easier to use and smaller water filter.
There were many more enticing products and services including trips to several exotic locations like Belmond La Samanna St. Martin, which gifted three nights in a stunning Ocean View Suite with daily breakfast for two, and luxury bed maker Hastens Los Angeles, which offered guests a pair of comfortable down boots and a three-night stay in their all-natural beds at the Nordic Light Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden.
Allocacoc gifted the AudioCube, the best portable Blue-tooth speaker and the PowerCube, which provides a space-saving solution for power supply in both home and office with electrical and USB ports built in.
Guest flocked to Gift Wrap My Face, a Miami-based startup that is redefining the act of giving by letting you create custom wrapping paper featuring your face (or that of a pet or loved one) that makes presents all the more special. LA’s Dog Trainer offered free admission to the Precision Timing/Clicker Workshop, providing specialized dog training programs in order for you to communicate with your pet for a better life and Swimline and Solstice Watersports showcased its unique and functional inflatable lounges and novelty floats.
Beauty and health sponsors included Burke Williams Spa, gifting products from the spa’s exclusive skin care line H2V, Shankara essential oils used in the new Ayurvedic body treatments, and spa passes to come visit the brand new Hollywood spa that opened earlier in September.
Viva Youth provided $1,000 gift certificates towards any plastic surgery procedure and its Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil. Bedford Dental Group’s Dr. Naysan was there with gift certificates for dental work and whitening at his Beverly Hills office. Beauty Kitchen by Heather Marianna supplied all natural and organic skin polish and hand sliced soap bar products and For the Love of Baths featured its inspirational quote candles handcrafted from pure soybean wax and botanical oils.
More highlights of the lounge were the diverse fashion and accessory products from GuiltySoles, high quality, fashion-forward footwear, Wrapped in a Cloud, a company that specializes in fully customizable plush robes and blankets for adults and children, Zoan Ash, featuring luxury gowns and red carpet looks from Bangladesh, Busté, a patent-pending bra that gives you amazing lift with no underwire while using organic, non-toxic material and Canada Bliss Hat Company with luxury handmade hats made of the finest materials.
No one here went hungry, with gourmet sweets and spirits from companies including Bread Basket Cake Co.. Ike’s Place sandwiches, Heitz Wine Cellars and its Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Maison Louis Latour, pouring both red and white French Burgundy wine, premium Voo Vodka distilled in Michigan and Williams Selyem with its 2013 Williams Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
The event’s beneficiary was American Friends of Magen David Adom (AFMDA), the American fundraising arm of Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical response agency and Red Cross affiliate. MDA, Israel’s largest volunteer NGO, is a global pioneer in mass-casualty response, sharing its knowledge in the U.S. and around the world.